Friday Roundtable on 980 CFPL: Talking Conestoga Huts & Housing
Former City Councillors Cheryl Miller and Paul Hubert, and Ward 2 City Councillor Shawn Lewis talking with Craig Needles about a possible Conestoga Hut pilot project as one small part of London’s response to homelessness and the housing crisis.
Part 1
Part 2
Want to hear the whole Friday Roundtable? Listen here: https://omny.fm/shows/the-craig-needles-show/friday-round-table-february-21-2020
The FACTS: Public WiFi in London
During the Multi-Year Budget process, City Council approved my push to go forward and start offering free public access WiFi in our recreation centres; arenas, pools, community centres, where it does not already exist (there is an inequality across the city where some facilities have it, some don’t).
This was a campaign promise I made and I’m happy to have council’s support in delivering this, with a 12-3 vote in favour.
I also want to be clear, about misinformation being circulated saying WiFi services at the public library were cut and then council funded this instead.
THAT IS 100% FALSE!
Continue ReadingFamily Day Free Public Skate
Honouring Team Canada 2020 World Junior Gold!
The Ward 2 2019 Year in Review
My first year as your city councillor has flown by, but it has been a very exciting and productive first year.
In 2019 engaging the residents of Ward 2 has meant:
- Hosting 3 public townhall meetings
- Responding to over 2000 of your emails
- An average of 4000 social media engagements a month
I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to share your thoughts, ideas, questions and concerns. It is important for me to hear from you in order to bring our neighbourhood’s voice to London City Hall effectively.
Of course, it is also about doing the work at City Hall as well and in my first year I’ve served on Council’s Civic Works and Community and Protective Services Committee, as well as Council’s representative on the Argyle BIA, Library, and Tourism London boards.
I’m looking forward to continuing that work this year and am honoured to have the confidence of my fellow council members in taking on the additional role of Chairperson for the Community and Protective Services Committee for 2020.
There are many Ward level needs and wants to work on as well. We have streets without any sidewalks, while other streets are badly in need of paving repairs. We have parks that need equipment repairs and other locations that need and are waiting for pedestrian crosswalks too. Of course there is also the need to keep working on affordable housing, better snow plowing, public wifi access at city facilities, and getting the green bin program started to name a few of the city wide initiatives I’m working on.
And although I’m frustrated about the delays, I continue to work with our project team at the city to “get it done!” so that 2020 will finally see the opening of our new East Lion’s Community Centre.
It will also be a challenging year as we work on the 2020-2023 Multi-year budget and work to deliver good services while keeping tax increases as reasonable as possible.
I look forward to continuing to work with you, and for you, to make our community an even better place to live, work, and play than it already is.
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year!
A Year 1 Council Update, with Councillor Morgan
Naming the EAST LIONS COMMUNITY CENTRE!
In 1951 the newly chartered East London Lions Club purchased a block of land which they cleared for a baseball diamond and park. Continue Reading
Ward 2 Townhall Meeting
Wednesday October 2nd
6:30-8:30pm at the East London Library
Join me and City Staff from the Budget team to discuss the upcoming multiyear budget, get an update on the community centre construction, and discuss the issues important to you.
Bringing Affordable & Public Housing Under Direct City Leadership
Councillor Shawn Lewis speaking about the challenges facing social and affordable housing in London, and the need to bring the direction of London Middlesex Community Housing and the Housing Development Corporation under a single leader accountable to city council.
Ward 2’s Vimy Ridge Park Becomes Official
More than two years after it was opposed by the former Ward 2 Councillor and referred back to city staff to review other options, the Community and Protective Services Committee of London City Council unanimously endorses the motion by new Ward 2 Councillor Shawn Lewis to officially designate Vimy Ridge Park. Continue Reading